Plant Operator

vst; Franklin (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Plant Operator role at vst is responsible for the safe, compliant, reliable, and efficient operation of two supercritical lignite-fired generating units from the control room. You will monitor boiler and turbine-generator systems, coordinate startups and shutdowns, and respond to alarms and disturbances.

You'll work with field operators, maintenance, and engineering to maintain fuel-handling and emissions compliance, keep accurate logs, and ensure continuous, environmentally responsible

Qualifications

• Minimum of six years of related experience.
• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Experience operating utility-scale generating equipment from a control room.
• Understanding of supercritical steam generation and turbine-generator systems.
• Strong knowledge of DCS-based control and monitoring systems.
• Understanding of boiler combustion, steam-water systems, turbine operation, electrical generation, and major auxiliary systems.
• Ability to interpret trends, alarms, operating parameters, equipment indications, and process data to identify developing issues.
• Ability to make sound decisions under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated effective oral and verbal communication skills and the ability to work as part of a shift team.
• Commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, regulatory compliance, and reliable generation.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor two supercritical lignite-fired generating units from the control room.
• Maintain safe, stable, and efficient operation of boiler, turbine-generator, and related systems.
• Monitor DCS indications, alarms, trends, process conditions, equipment performance, and operating parameters.
• Execute unit startups, shutdowns, load changes, equipment clearances, and switching activities as per procedures.
• Coordinate with field operators and supervision on equipment conditions and safe operation instructions.
• Maintain accurate operating logs and documentation including unit status and fuel-delivery activity.
• Support troubleshooting, incident reviews, and root-cause identification.
• Follow safety, environmental, operating, and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in emergency drills and continuous-improvement activities.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by plant management.

Skills

Control room ops

DCS monitoring

Supercritical steam

Boiler operation

Turbine operation

Safety compliance

Trend analysis

Emergency response

Team communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

DCS software

SCADA systems

Job description

Job Summary

The Plant Operator is responsible for the safe, compliant, reliable, and efficient operation of two supercritical lignite-fired generating units. This role operates, monitors, and controls boiler, turbine-generator, balance-of-plant, and lignite fuel-delivery systems from the control room. The Plant Operator responds to changing unit conditions, alarms, equipment issues, and system disturbances; coordinates unit startups, shutdowns, load changes, equipment clearances, and switching activities; and works closely with field operators, Shift Supervision, maintenance, engineering, and fuel-handling personnel. The role promotes safe, environmentally responsible, and reliable generation in accordance with approved procedures and applicable requirements.

Job Description

Key Accountabilities

• Operate and monitor two supercritical lignite-fired generating units from the control room.


• Maintain safe, stable, and efficient operation of the boiler, turbine-generator, and associated balance-of-plant systems.


• Monitor DCS indications, alarms, trends, process conditions, equipment performance, and operating parameters.


• Make timely operating decisions in response to changing unit conditions, equipment issues, system disturbances, and abnormal operating situations.


• Execute and coordinate unit startups, shutdowns, load changes, equipment clearances, and switching activities in accordance with approved procedures.


• Work closely with field operators to verify equipment conditions and safely execute operating instructions.


• Operate and monitor lignite fuel-delivery systems, including rail unloading, conveyors, transfer equipment, bunkers, feeders, and associated controls.


• Monitor lignite inventory, fuel flow, conveyor performance, feeder operation, and material-handling alarms to maintain a reliable fuel supply to the generating units.


• Coordinate with fuel-handling personnel and Shift Supervision regarding train deliveries, unloading priorities, fuel inventory levels, and lignite-system operating conditions.


• Support the safe startup, shutdown, isolation, clearance, and restoration of lignite fuel-handling equipment.


• Identify abnormal equipment behavior, developing process issues, and fuel-handling concerns before they become significant operating or reliability problems.


• Communicate equipment conditions, operational risks, and plant-status changes clearly to the Shift Supervisor, maintenance personnel, engineers, fuel-handling personnel, and other plant personnel.


• Maintain accurate operating logs, records, and documentation, including unit operating status, fuel-delivery activity, train deliveries, fuel inventory, and lignite-system conditions.


• Support troubleshooting, incident reviews, and root-cause identification following equipment, process, or fuel-system issues.


• Follow all applicable safety, environmental, operating, and regulatory requirements.


• Participate in emergency response, drills, training, procedure reviews, and continuous-improvement activities.


• Perform additional duties as assigned by plant management.

Education, Experience, and Skill Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of six years of related experience.


• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.


• Demonstrated experience operating utility-scale generating equipment from a control room.


• Understanding of supercritical steam generation and turbine-generator systems.


• Strong knowledge of DCS-based control and monitoring systems.


• Understanding of boiler combustion, steam-water systems, turbine operation, electrical generation, and major auxiliary systems.


• Ability to interpret trends, alarms, operating parameters, equipment indications, and process data to identify developing equipment or process issues.


• Ability to make sound decisions under pressure in a fast-paced, dynamic operating environment.


• Demonstrated effective oral and verbal communication skills and the ability to work successfully as part of a shift team.


• Ability to follow approved procedures while recognizing equipment or process conditions that are not behaving as expected.


• Strong commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, regulatory compliance, and reliable generation.


• Ability to maintain accurate operating logs and other required documentation.


• Ability to work without direct supervision in unit upset conditions.

Pre-Employment Assessment

All applicants must be successful candidates on the Plant Operator Selection System/Power Plant Operations and Maintenance ( POSS/MASS ) program to be considered for this position. POSS/MASS examinations are administered as needed. Communication regarding testing will be sent to the email address provided by the candidate during the application process.

Preferred Qualifications

Power plant operator or control room operating ex